Bayview looks forward to Candlestick project jobs — but what about blowing up the stadium?

A day after news broke that a 500,000-square-foot, upscale outlet shopping center would be built on the site of Candlestick Park, Bayview residents gathered at a press conference called by the developer to hear about important things, like the jobs and economic benefits the project would create.

But first, let’s address the question everyone really wants to know the answer to: is Candlestick Park going to be blown up or knocked down?

“Right now we are working on an environmental study that looks at the dust issues and the environmental impacts of imposition versus what’s known as mechanical destruction,” said project spokesman David Satterfield. “We expect we will know those results in mid-December and make a decision thereafter.”

Meanwhile Bayview-Hunters Point residents Tracy Ward and Tacing Parker gathered in the shadow of the ‘Stick, which has been awfully quiet since August, when Paul McCartney played what was billed as the stadium’s fond farewell. Parker and Ward said they are cautiously optimistic about the project. They grew up shopping at Stonestown or Serramonte Center in Daly City and like the idea of being able to shop in their own neighborhood.

But while they appreciate that the mall will have off-price luxury, they’re concerned that many of their neighbors will be priced out.

“It’s nice to have the high-end outlets, but it’s important to have opportunities here that reflect the needs of the community,” Ward said. “They are talking about building a world-class district in a world-class city. That’s going to change the economics of the community, it means costs are going to go up so people need to have higher wages too, so they can afford to live here. The ‘work, live, play’ they are talking about has to be real for people.”

Lennar Urban has formed a 50-50 partnership with Macerich, a retail builder, to develop the 500,000-square-foot mall at an estimated cost of more than $200 million. The project will be part of a larger $1 billion development at Candlestick Point that will eventually total 6,225 homes, 220 hotel rooms and 635,000 square feet of shops.

Parker said she hoped the developers would work with the Bayview YMCA and other nonprofits to train Bayview residents for long-term employment with potential for advancement.

“It needs to be more than hiring local high schools students for a month or two over the holidays and then laying them off,” said Parker.

The Candlestick Point development, while massive, is part of an even bigger project that includes the old Hunters Point Shipyard. That project is already under way, with 247 units under construction and another 400 to start next year.

Al Norman, president of the Bayview Merchants Association, said that Lennar has lived up to its word in the 10 years it’s been working on the project. “They have not gone back on any of the promises that they have made.”

“We have have put a lot of our youngsters to work out there building apartments and condominiums,” he said. “Go on down there and see who is working and it’s nothing but black and brown.”

The retail portion of the development will sit on land currently occupied by the stadium, plus some of the parking lot. The hotel will be up against the hill on the west side of the property. Housing will be constructed above the retail. Parking will be underground and on top of the retail will be a mix of housing, hotel, and entertainment.

The Candlestick Point project will be connected by a bridge to the Shipyard. There will be bike and pedestrian paths as well as bus rapid transit connecting the two parts. Lennar is also working with Muni to expand bus service onto the property.

Meanwhile, about the razing of Candlestick Park: Lennar says that mechanical destruction is slightly cheaper than demolition, but not the fan favorite. To use a football analogy, most people think Lennar should go for it on fourth down and just blow the thing up